2022 Raleigh shootings
On October 13, 2022, a mass shooting took place in the Hedingham neighborhood of Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Five people were killed, and two others were injured. The perpetrator, 15-year-old Austin Thompson, was detained after being cornered by police at a nearby residence and was in critical condition from a gunshot wound to the head sustained during the incident. Thompson survived his head injury and has begun to receive physical rehabilitation. He was transferred from a hospital to the medical unit of a juvenile correctional facility. On January 21, 2026, Thompson pleaded guilty on all counts. His sentencing is scheduled for February 2, 2026.
Shootings
The shootings began in a residential area near the Neuse River Trail greenway area shortly after 5:00 p.m. on October 13, 2022. Thompson, armed with a shotgun, handgun, and hunting knife, first killed his brother at home by shooting him in the head and stabbing him 57 times in the neck, then went out into the street, where he fatally shot a woman on her porch and critically wounded another woman on the driveway of the same house. Thompson proceeded through Hedingham, shooting to death an off-duty police officer on the 6000 block of Osprey Drive. He then ran to the nearby Neuse River Trail, where he fatally shot a woman jogging and another woman walking her dog.Five people were killed, and two others were wounded. There were four separate crime scenes spanning. Police received the first 9-1-1 call about the shooting at 5:13. At 5:55, the Raleigh Police Department announced on Twitter that it was on the scene of an active shooter situation in the area. While Thompson was at large, local residents were advised by law enforcement to stay indoors at 6:49.
A police dog eventually tracked the accused to a wooded area with two barn-like buildings. When the police arrived at 6:45 p.m., Thompson fired multiple times at them, injuring an officer. Several officers returned fire, shooting an estimated 23 rounds at the building. After setting a perimeter around the structure, officers commanded Thompson to surrender his weapons and come out with his hands up. At 9:34 p.m., Selective Enforcement Unit officers breached the building and found Thompson inside. Thompson had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to WakeMed to be treated.
Perpetrator
Austin Thompson was identified as the shooter, who at the time, was a 15-year-old sophomore at Knightdale High School. The Wake County District Attorney announced that there were plans to charge Thompson as an adult. Immediately after the shooting, Thompson was reported as in a "grave" condition; he was moved to a rehab facility in November for additional treatment after being charged with the five killings on November 11. Thompson made his first official court appearance on October 4, 2023, where he was charged as an adult with "five counts murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill and one count of assault with firearm on law enforcement officer." His father was also cited for failing to store his guns.Austin Thompson's attorneys stated that "Austin cannot explain why he committed this shooting" due to the "serious brain injury he suffered."
Investigation
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Raleigh Police Department and the ATF, are involved with the investigation. Governor Roy Cooper deployed state resources to assist investigators at the crime scenes. A "five-day report," including a detailed outline of the incident, was filed to the Raleigh city manager on October 20.The accused was originally scheduled to go on trial in September 2025, which was later pushed to February 2, 2026. He was to be tried as an adult. Before the trial date, his attorneys filed documents with the court stating that Austin Thompson would plead guilty to all charges.